Following an annual compensation review and performance evaluation, Atlantic Cape Community College’s Presidential Evaluation Committee has judged the performance of President Peter L. Mora to be “excellent.” Dr. Mora asked the board of trustees not to consider a salary increase for him, in light of the current funding climate and the need to carefully control college expenses. Following approval by the full board at the group’s Aug. 28 meeting, Dr. Mora’s salary and benefits for the 2012-2013 academic year will remain unchanged from 2011-2012 levels.

Trustee Don Parker commended Dr. Mora’s performance and noted it was the third year in a row that the president has not accepted a raise, which he said was “admirable” from a leadership point of view. David Evans, board vice chairperson and chair of the evaluation committee, echoed those comments calling Dr. Mora’s performance “exemplary.” Evans said the president was reviewed on leadership, team building, communication, finance and technology, with three new goals added for 2012-13.

Dr. Mora will receive an annual salary of $179,571 and the board will make a 10 percent unmatched contribution to his pension and provide a car allowance.

Dr. Mora introduced Dr. Arthur Wexler, vice president of academic affairs, and Carmen Royal, dean of students, who reported on the work of the Enrollment Management & Student Success Cross Functional Committee. They explained the history of the group, its new focus relating to student success, and outlined its membership, mission and charges. Dean Royal shared some of the group’s strategic priorities and accomplishments during the past year. Dr. Wexler outlined its connection to the college’s new Achieving the Dream participation, noting that all efforts undertaken will be measured and evaluated in terms of outcomes.

In Committee Reports:

Dr. Richard Perniciaro, dean, Worthington Atlantic City Campus, community affairs, facilities, planning and research, gave an update on the college’s Blueprint 2020 Facilities Master Plan for the Long-range Planning and Capital Projects committee.

With eight years remaining, substantial progress has been made on the projects outlined in the master plan, Dr. Perniciaro said. In addition to upgrades to the gymnasium, including a new fitness center, the college is ready to begin construction this fall on a hospitality wing at the Worthington Atlantic City Campus and a Science Technology Engineering and Math building on the Mays Landing Campus.

The Rutgers at Atlantic Cape building on the Mays Landing Campus, envisioned as a “university center” in the master plan, is complete and will open for fall classes, he said. Once the STEM building is finished, the college will renovate academic space in buildings A, H and K in spring 2014.

To realize these projects, as well as upgrades to the library, theater, central plant and campus infrastructure, the college acquired a total of $42,271,000 in funding, $20,121,000 of which was provided by Atlantic County.

In Other Business, the Board:

--Approved the July 31, 2012, financial statement.

--Approved the preliminary June 30, 2012, financial statement which will become final after the audit.

--Welcomed Nicole Schoenstein of Weymouth, new alumni representative to the board.

--Heard from Sandra Greco, Atlantic Cape Education Association umbrella president, who spoke about the bargaining units’ efforts to support Atlantic Cape students’ success. She handed out lanyards with flash drives that were provided to new students to hold their ID cards and save their work. She said the bargaining units also will run an activity to raise money for the ACCCEA Scholarship fund at the upcoming Buccaneer Day.

--Applauded Jane Lugo, Atlantic County treasurer and chief financial officer, as she announced her impending retirement. She said she enjoyed working with the college and thanked the board and college staff for assisting her in her work.

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Cape May County Campus, Room 113. All are welcome to attend.